Skip to content
The Care & Counsel Library

New Care &
Counsel Library

Learn more
  • SEARCH
  • CONTACT
$0.00 0 Cart
Store Login
  • Store
    • View All Products
    • New Care & Counsel Library
    • Video Training
    • Book of Topics
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • A Vision of Hope for the Future
    • God’s Plan for You
    • Meet June Hunt
    • Statement of Faith
    • Ministry Partners
    • The Hope Center
    • International
  • Broadcast
    • Hope In The Night
    • Talk with June On Air
    • Find a Radio Station
    • For Broadcasters
  • Free Resources
  • Blog
  • Counseling
  • Events
    • View All Events
    • Our Speakers
    • Speaker Request
  • Store
    • View All Products
    • New Care & Counsel Library
    • Video Training
    • Books by Topics
Menu
  • Store
    • View All Products
    • New Care & Counsel Library
    • Video Training
    • Book of Topics
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • A Vision of Hope for the Future
    • God’s Plan for You
    • Meet June Hunt
    • Statement of Faith
    • Ministry Partners
    • The Hope Center
    • International
  • Broadcast
    • Hope In The Night
    • Talk with June On Air
    • Find a Radio Station
    • For Broadcasters
  • Free Resources
  • Blog
  • Counseling
  • Events
    • View All Events
    • Our Speakers
    • Speaker Request
  • Store
    • View All Products
    • New Care & Counsel Library
    • Video Training
    • Books by Topics
Donate

3 Temptations We Face When Helping Others

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin,
you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.
But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,
without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”

(Galatians 6:1–5)

When we carry each other’s burdens, Satan loves to whisper, distract, and throw temptations at us. As we help others, we must be mindful of our responses so we don’t become ineffective counselors, caregivers, and people-helpers.

Below are 3 temptations you might face when helping others – and what to do about them. 

#1 – The Temptation to Despair

She lost her husband unexpectedly. I didn’t know it until we met, but she was an immigrant with no family in the country. She was working with a fertility doctor to conceive their first child, and her husband’s salary paid their bills. When her husband’s heart stopped, she felt like her hope died.

As we sat together, she cried, “Lord, why?!” I shared Scripture. I prayed with her. I said the right words, but after our session, I began to cry hot tears to the Lord. I questioned, “Lord, why?! Where is her hope?!” I was tempted to believe that nothing we could do would be enough.

Quickly, deep in my spirit, I heard Him: “If you don’t know where her hope comes from, you’re going to have to hush, Haley.” The Lord was her hope. If I was going to guide her to that truth, I had to believe it myself. We began leaning into the God of all comfort instead of leaning away from Him in despair.

What to do: Stand on the hope of Christ. Through Him, every situation has the opportunity to be redeemed, redirected, or restored. There’s always hope. Be convinced of it. When we counsel others, we have the opportunity to practice standing on hope unseen.

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:21–23)

#2 – The Temptation to Get Angry

She brought her husband, two teenagers, and preschooler in for “family counseling.” She explained the family dynamics that brought them to counseling. With respect, but definite exhaustion, she detailed how she did everything in the home. She had a full time job, cooked, cleaned, helped kids with homework, got them to bed at night and up for school every morning. She explained her husband didn’t have a job and sat in his bedroom playing video games all day.

As I watched him for a sign of remorse (that I didn’t see), I got angry. Over a few sessions, I used counseling techniques to help him realize how I perceived he was failing his family. Exasperated, I asked my supervisor for the right words to get through to him. He asked me, “What’s his story, Haley? What was his family life like growing up?” I replied, “I don’t care! There’s no excuse for how he’s treating his family!” Knowing my blind spots, my supervisor encouraged me to listen to the dad. 

In the next session, I half-heartedly gave him the opportunity to share. “Tell me about your home growing up.” He talked about his childhood and how great his dad was. I said, “It sounds like you’re really close to him.” He said, “I was, until he died of a heart attack when I was 11.” My heart sank. This man stopped growing emotionally when his heart broke as a child. He turned to drugs, music, and video games to escape reality. It was too painful for him. As he grew up, it was all he knew.

God gave me an opportunity to see past his selfishness to his broken heart that set him on his current course. I fell to the temptation to be angry at him – not his sin, but him. It may not have been a good excuse for his behavior now, but there was a reason – and I was initially too angry to consider it. He needed my help, not my condemnation.

What to do: Pray to see others through God’s eyes. When we see selfish and destructive behaviors that hurt others, we must look past their sin and see their need as Jesus did. What need are they trying to meet? What pain are they trying to avoid? What actions are they using to cope? Anyone can see what’s wrong and judge, but God wants us to see what’s broken and bring it to Him to heal.

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”

(Psalm 145:8–9)

#3 – The Temptation of Pride

Helping others and seeing God change lives is an incredible blessing. It’s a high calling and sacred trust. As God works through us, people often come back to us with gratitude. “When you said that, it was just what I needed to hear. It made all the difference!”

Words of gratitude and compliments vary, but the temptation we face is the same: pride. I’m pretty great at this! If we take pride in our words, our wisdom, or in the ground gained in our client’s lives, we’ll lose our footing. We have no wisdom, no healing, no help in and of ourselves. God’s Word and His Spirit do the work. We are vessels. When we counsel others, and see God move in great ways, we get to glorify him first-hand – and we must avoid taking credit for the work of His hand.

What to do: Practice receiving gratitude. Genuinely receive it and direct it to God. “I’m excited to see how God is working in your life. He has done great things and I’m so thankful to get to be part of it with you.” Plan your response so you don’t forget where our help and healing come from – and fall to the temptation of taking credit for God’s work. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Haley Scully, M.A.
Senior Director of Strategic and International Operations
Hope for the Heart

More Helpful Resources for You

Free Download on Caregiving

Caring for someone is a blessing but can often feel like a burden. Having the right foundation in God’s Word can help you care for others without becoming overwhelmed yourself.

Get our free download and discover what God’s Word says about caregiving.

Download now
Free Webinar on Lay Caregiving Resources

Join us on Thursday, May 13 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (CST) for a free webinar to learn about our Lifeline to Hope biblical caregiving video resources. These valuable tools can impact your church and community and help you grow personally, professionally, and in your ministry role. They’re also helpful mental health resources, especially for the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the end of the webinar, you will receive a special coupon for a discount on all Lifeline to Hope products.

Register today
Live-streaming event on Grief & Loss

The ongoing pandemic has only intensified the painful realities of grief and loss many have experienced. There’s an urgent need to address this important topic, the impact of the pandemic, proper self-care, and how to help others.

Join June Hunt and Dr. Eric Scalise online Wednesday, May 26 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. (CST) for a live-streaming event and timely discussion on Grief & Loss: Coping Day-to-Day in Our COVID World.

Those who register will receive our Lifeline to Hope Grief Video Course for free ($29 value).

Learn more
  • May 7, 2021

Share this post

Stay connected with Hope For The Heart

Sign up for our email digest and be encouraged by inspiring stories, receive special discounts and stay informed about ministry updates, events, and new products.

  • Hidden

We take privacy seriously and will carefully protect your email address. Every email includes the option of opting out at any time. By signing up to our list, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and consent to receive digital communications from Hope for the Heart and our ministry initiatives.

Hope for the Heart

2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75075

Call 1.800.488.4673

© Hope for the Heart 2023
Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Services
Disclaimer

Products

NEW: Care & Counsel Library
Self-Study Caregiving Course
Group Caregiving Course
Video Courses
Books

Links

About
Broadcast
Free Resources
Blog
Counseling
Events
International
Store
Donate
Jobs
Volunteer
Statement of Faith
Contact

Stay Connected

× product(s) added to cart → ×
×
×

Cart

Free Download

My Damaged Faith

Get this FREE resource and find healing & freedom from spiritual abuse.

Get My Free Copy
  • STORE
  • BOOKS
  • GROUP TRAINING
  • TOPICAL VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • BOOKS
  • GROUP TRAINING
  • TOPICAL VIDEOS